Hard Disk Drive Case Mounting Structure Using Press-Fit Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hard disk drive mounting process using screws is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to the small size and potential loss of screws, leading to increased production costs and installation difficulties, especially when mounting solid-state drives.
Innovation Solution
A hard disk drive case mounting structure utilizing fasteners with female and male components, which can be made of rubber, plastics, or metal, that are press-fitted into countersunk holes to securely attach the top cover shell and bottom holder shell without the need for tools, ensuring quick and accurate assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screws are used to affix the bottom holder shell and top cover shell together, then the mounting operation can be completed, but the installation procedure requires much labor and installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from traditional screws and separates it into two independent components: a male fastening component embedded in the bottom holder shell and a female fastening component on the top cover shell. This extraction allows the fastening mechanism to be integrated into the shell structures themselves, eliminating the need for separate screw fasteners and manual screwing operations, thereby reducing installation time and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fastening function with the shell structures by embedding the male and female fastening components directly into the bottom holder shell and top cover shell respectively. This integration combines the structural support function of the shells with the fastening function, creating a unified assembly that requires no additional fastening operations, thus reducing both labor and installation time.
2Ease of operation
If screws are used for fastening, then the mounting operation can be completed, but the screws can easily get lost during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening components with the shell structures themselves, embedding the male fastening component in the bottom holder shell and the female fastening component on the top cover shell. This integration ensures that the fastening components become an integral part of the shell assembly, eliminating the risk of losing separate screw fasteners during installation and improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female fastening components serve as intermediary elements that are permanently integrated into the shell structures. These intermediaries provide a reliable connection between the bottom holder shell and top cover shell without requiring separate fasteners that could be lost, thereby improving component retention and installation reliability.
3Ease of operation
If screws are used for fastening, then the mounting operation can be completed, but if the screws are not held in accurate alignment with the screw holes, the mounting operation will become difficult to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening components with the shell structures, embedding the male fastening component in the bottom holder shell and the female fastening component on the top cover shell at predetermined positions. This integration ensures that the fastening components are automatically aligned with corresponding features on the shells during assembly, eliminating alignment difficulties and improving manufacturing precision without requiring separate alignment operations.
4Ease of operation
If screws are used for fastening, then the mounting operation can be completed, but the screws require hand tools (screwdriver or wrench) which increases production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from external screw fasteners and integrates it directly into the shell structures. The male and female fastening components are embedded in the bottom holder shell and top cover shell respectively, eliminating the need for separate screw fasteners and hand tools (screwdrivers or wrenches). This extraction reduces tool requirements and associated production costs while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell structures themselves provide the fastening function through the embedded male and female fastening components. The bottom holder shell and top cover shell serve dual purposes: structural containment and fastening connection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external fastening tools and components, reducing production costs and simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A hard disk drive case mounting structure includes a case formed of a top cover shell and a bottom holder shell, an electronic system accommodated in the case, and fasteners each including a female fastening component having an annular head press-fitted in one respective vertical mounting hole at the top cover shell of the case and a split tube-like mating connection socket downwardly extended from the annular head, and a male fastening component having a flat circular head press-fitted into one respective vertical mounting hole at the bottom holder shell of the case and a retaining shank extended from the flat circular head and inserted through one respective mounting through hole at a flat frame member of the electronic system and then fastened to the split tube-like mating connection socket of the female fastening component by means of a hook block.